The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Bored 0]

What the hell...I'll throw my opinion in on the Astros/Cubs debate.

 

Catcher (2003 OPS+)

Michael Barrett 63

Brad Ausmus 54

 

This is the best they can do? Barrett has shown some ability in the past to be a slightly below league average hitter and other times he's just god awful like last year. He is only 27 though so I supppose he has "upside" if you will. Of course he's still a better hitter than Ausmus. He maybe a good defensive catcher but who cares if you hit that poorly? He really should be strictly a back-up.

 

Verdict: Advantage Cubs

 

First Base

Derrek Lee 135

Jeff Bagwell 127

 

Pretty simple here. You have one player who is 28 on the rise and the other who is 36 on the decline. Bagwell is still a good hitter and very durable but his numbers have slipped each of the last four years.

 

Verdict: Advantage Cubs

 

Second Base

Mark Grudzielanek 105/Todd Walker 95

Jeff Kent 118

 

The Grudzielanek/Walker platoon should produce average to slightly below average results. Grudzielanek is coming off the second best year of his career so expect his numbers to drop. Kent is obviously better than both although last year could be a sign he's starting to hit the wall. It was his worst season since 1998 and he'll be 36 this year.

 

Verdict: Advantage Astros

 

Third Base

Aramis Ramirez 104

Morgan Ensberg 130

 

Not much of a contest here although Ensberg hasn't played too much yet. Anyone wanna figure how Ramirez was so good in 2001? He is only 26 though so guess he still has time to prove that season wasn't a fluke. He led all third basemen last year with 33 errors.

 

Verdict: Advantage Astros

 

Shortstop

Alex Gonzalez 82

Adam Everett 79

 

Oof. Um flip a coin? Nothing really to add although Everett did lead all shortstops in range factor last season.

 

Verdict: Even.

 

Left Field

Moises Alou 113

Lance Berkman 137

 

Bit of a rebound year last season for Alou after having the worst season of his career in 2002. But at 37 now he isn't the same player he once was and is a liability defensively. Last year was a down year for Berkman but he still had great numbers.

 

Verdict: Advantage Astros

 

Center Field

Corey Patterson 116

Craig Biggio 95

 

Patterson was having a nice little year before it was ended due to injury. Have to see if his first half last year was a fluke or not. Biggio is going to be 38 and has to be close to retirement. Actually wasn't terrible as a center fielder but not very good either.

 

Verdict: Advantage Cubs

 

Right Field

Sammy Sosa 135

Richard Hidalgo 142

 

Sosa is coming off his worst season since 1997 but he didn't exactly suck either last season. Still probably has a 50 homerun season left in him. Hidalgo is impossible to figure out at this point. He had an amazing 2000 season then just disappers into obscurity the next two and then has an amazing year last season. He has a great arm that produced a major league best 22 assists last year. His inconsistency vs. Sosa's track record though makes this too close to call though even though Hidalgo was definently better than Sosa last year.

 

Verdict: Even

 

Starting Pitchers (2003 ERA+)

Roy Oswalt 149

Roger Clemens 112

Andy Pettite 109

Wade Miller 107

Tim Redding 120

 

Mark Prior 175

Kerry Wood 133

Greg Maddux 105

Matt Clement 103

Carlos Zambrano 136

 

I think both of these rotations might be slightly overrated. Both are very good of course but there is so much focus on Clemens, Pettite, and Maddux that there isn't enough focus on the ages of Clemens and Maddux and that Pettite has been overrated most of his career by pitching in New York. Clemens strike out to walk ratio still isn't slipping so don't expect any huge drop off even at 41 but he isn't the dominator he once was. Maddux's season last year has to be a concern and it remains to be seen how much he has left. Pettite is a good pitcher but he has had only one truly outstanding season (1997) that warrants the amount of hype he gets.

 

As for the rest Oswalt is a rising star and Miller and Redding should both continue to improve. Jimy Williams apparantly still is going to have competition between Redding and Jeriome Robertson for the #5 spot in Spring and I have no idea why as Redding is the obvious choice. Prior as everyone knows is a stud and might be the guy to replace Pedro Martinez as the best pitcher in baseball. Wood is of course very good and should only get better. Clement is nothing special. Zambrano came out of no where last season to have a great year. This a really tough call as the greatness of Mark Prior has me tipping it in favor of the Cubs but then I think there are more questions about the Cubs rotation than the Astros (How much does Maddux have left? Was Zambrano a fluke last year?) that I'm gonna cop out on this one.

 

Verdict: Even.

 

Bullpens (2003 Component ERA)

Joe Borowski 2.26

LaTroy Hawkins 2.48

Mike Remlinger 3.88

Kyle Farnsworth 2.58

Kent Mercker 3.72

Juan Cruz 5.23

 

Octavio Dotel 2.02

Brad Lidge 2.82

Ricky Stone 4.00

Jeriome Robertson 5.19 (as a starter)

Mike Gallo 3.66

Dave Veres 3.98

 

Both teams are secure at closer and primary set-up man. Hawkins could potentially end up being the closer at some point but Borowski did well enough last year that I think he'll hold on to the job. The concern with the Cubs is Mike Remlinger's shoulder as he might not be ready for the start of the season. Kent Mercker would then become their left-hand option and he had a rebirth of his career as a middle reliever last season although wasn't nearly as good as his sub-2 ERA indicated. With the exception of Veres the Astros bullpen is very young although very talented as well. Robertson did not pitch well his one full year as a reliever in the minors back in 2001. If Remlinger's shoulder holds up I like the Cubs bullpen a little more than the Astros.

 

Verdict: Advantage Cubs

 

It's a close call and I actually picked the Astros in the MLB predictions topic although that was just off the top of my head. There are a plenty of reasons to think one will be better than the other and I thik it's a good bet both will make the playoffs. I'd say there are more "what if?" scenerios with the Cubs as with the Astros I think what you see is what your going to get. But in the end I'm going to say the Cubs will be slightly better than the Astros.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1745291

 

Selig bans agents, trainers from field, dugout and clubhouses

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Baseball is cracking down on who's allowed in the clubhouse.

 

 

 

Eight days after Barry Bonds' personal trainer was indicted on charges of distributing illegal steroids, commissioner Bud Selig sent a memorandum to the 30 teams banning personal trainers, friends and agents from "all playing fields, dugouts, clubhouses and related facilities."

 

 

 

The memorandum, dated Feb. 20 and issued under the names of Selig and baseball executive vice president Sandy Alderson, was sent to all 30 teams and was obtained by The Associated Press. In a telephone interview Thursday, Alderson also said personal trainers will be banned from ballpark weight rooms.

 

 

 

While it didn't mention the steroid probe directly, the memo said "recent events have reinforced the need to consistently and uniformly enforce regulations limiting clubhouse access."

 

 

 

Alderson wouldn't say the memo was directly linked to the steroid probe. "We'll let the term 'recent events' stand on its own," he said.

 

 

 

"All club employees must be made aware of the importance of denying clubhouse access to unauthorized persons," the memo said. "Friends, associates, agents, attorneys, personal trainers, etc. may not be granted access to the restricted areas."

 

 

 

Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson, was frequently in the Giants clubhouse. Anderson pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, and Bonds repeatedly has denied using steroids.

 

 

 

"A uniform enforcement of the security standards is crucial to maintaining a safe working environment," Selig said in a statement. "There will be absolutely no exceptions to these regulations. and major league clubs will be held responsible if they are not enforced."

 

 

 

While baseball increased security following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, teams have had differing enforcement policies.

 

 

 

"We had these basic limitations in place for some time, and compliance has actually been pretty good across the board," Alderson said. "There's nothing new in terms of policy restrictions, but we will be more involved in enforcement."

 

 

 

Yankees manager Joe Torre has allowed friends into his office, such as Billy Crystal and Marvin Hamlisch.

 

 

 

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa has allowed Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight, a friend, in the St. Louis dugout and clubhouse before games, and during spring training last year Knight sat with La Russa and coaches on a bench just outside the dugout during a game.

 

 

 

Jason Giambi's trainer, Bobby Alejo, was allowed on charter flights in 2002 and 2003; he was on the team's payroll as a batting practice pitcher in 2002. While he was banned from the clubhouse for much of last season, he was allowed to work with Giambi in the weight room.

 

 

 

Alderson said that if personal trainers are put on a team's payroll, "we will look at each of those cases individually on their respective merits and make a determination of that basis."

 

 

 

Harvey Shields, another of Bonds' trainers, also has frequented the clubhouse since 2000. He stretches out the six-time NL MVP before games, and Bonds said this week he thought Shields will still be around.

 

 

 

"I have to get ready for games," Bonds said. "People have to realize our body is our machine."

 

 

 

The memo says teams may determine individual policies for clubhouse access by "immediate family," defined as parents, siblings and children.

 

 

 

In addition, "caterers and food vendors must provide written certification that background investigations have been conducted for all staff who will have access to the clubhouse."

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Jimy Williams apparantly still is going to have competition between Redding and Jeriome Robertson for the #5 spot in Spring and I have no idea why as Redding is the obvious choice.

 

I'm fairly certain Redding was confirmed as the #5 starter at some point.

[Bored 0]

I read a blurb that Williams is going to have competition for the 5th spot. It might just be friendly competition as it seems rather pointless.

[sfaJack 0]

I'm fairly certain Redding was confirmed as the #5 starter at some point.

Yes, that is correct. Redding is the #5. That was confirmed a couple of weeks ago.

 

Actually, the Astros don't have any competition for roster spots/starting jobs this spring, outside of the one final bullpen spot and the backup infielder spot that's between John Valentin, Eric Bruntlett, and (I think) Jose Vizcaino.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Damon already trimmed the beard. I was hoping he would keep it the whole year...he may have drawn in the homeless sect to boost our fan numbers.

 

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Some more offseason news

 

Manager Lou Piniella today named Victor Zambrano his Opening Day starter.

Piniella wouldn't confirm that Jeremi Gonzalez would start the second game of Tampa Bay's series in Japan, but that should happen before long. The two right-handers are the only pitchers guaranteed spots in the team's rotation.

 

Expos signed OF Peter Bergeron, RHP Dan Smith and OF Matt Cepicky to one-year contracts.

Believe it or not, Bergeron remains on Montreal's 40-man roster. He has only a slight chance of beating out Endy Chavez for a job as a reserve this spring. Smith, who missed the second half of last year with shoulder problems, is likely to end up in the bullpen. Cepicky figures to return to Triple-A.

 

Derrek Lee's three-year contract with the Cubs is worth $22.5 million.

Lee receives base salaries of $5.5 million this season, $7 million in 2005 and $8 million in 2006. He also receives a $2 million signing bonus spread evenly over the three years. The Cubs have done well the last two days to get Wood and Lee signed at rates that figured to be slightly below their market value.

 

Pirates signed RHP Mark Corey, RHP Bobby Bradley, SS Jose Castillo, 2B Bobby Hill and OF J.J. Davis to one-year contracts.

Corey was one of the players Pirates GM Dave Littlefield was blasted for keeping on the 40-man roster all winter. The 29-year-old right-hander will compete for a spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen.

 

Orlando Cabrera said he'd like to re-sign with Montreal after becoming a free agent in November.

"I'm not afraid to say that," Cabrera said. "I always wanted to play for one team and if I have the opportunity, I will." Cabrera and Jose Vidro are both eligible for free agency after the season, and there's little chance that both will remain Expos in 2005. Cabrera is more likely to stay, making Vidro the better bet to be traded in July.

 

Manager Buck Showalter said he hoped that Kevin Mench would win a job as the Rangers' starting left fielder this spring.

Although it's appeared that Mench has been in the doghouse since last season, the Rangers may have just been trying to motivate him. The 26-year-old is expected to get as much playing time as any member of the team during the exhibition season. If he hits, he should play regularly over David Delluci in left field. "The power is there," hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo said. "He got into a habit of pushing everything and just throwing his body out there way in front of his bat. We've worked on it this winter. He's been really good at making adjustments. And I think he's matured. I think he's going to go out and win the job. He's got the ability."

 

Kerry Wood will start on Opening Day for the Cubs, manager Dusty Baker announced today.

He'll be followed in the rotation by Greg Maddux, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Carlos Zambrano. "I'm going with Prior after Maddux to give a different look, plus you know Prior can learn a lot from Maddux, I think," Baker said. Actually, it's probably the inefficient Wood who has more to learn by watching Maddux. Still, if he can stay healthy, he'll be a top-10 pitcher.

 

The Royals may go with a four-man rotation for the first few weeks of the season.

Due to off days, the team should only need a fifth starter a couple of times during April. If they go with a four-man rotation initially, it's likely that either Jimmy Gobble or Miguel Asencio will open the season in the minors. Also, it could be that Kevin Appier will be ready to return once a regular fifth starter is needed.

 

Manager Tony Pena plans to hit Carlos Beltran second in the order, followed by Mike Sweeney and Juan Gonzalez.

Pena has his faults, but his willingness to keep an open mind and try new things should continue to make him an asset for Kansas City. Most managers would pencil in Beltran third, Sweeney fourth and Gonzalez fifth, leaving a far inferior hitter in the second spot. Pena's plan won't make a big difference, but it will get his best hitters more at-bats, which is rarely a bad thing.

 

Manager Clint Hurdle said his team will take more chances on the basepaths this year.

"Speed is something that shows up at the park every day," Hurdle said. "We didn't have that threat last year. Hopefully, we are going to run a little more this year." Royce Clayton, Aaron Miles and Preston Wilson could swipe a few extra bases if Hurdle insists on being more aggressive. He just needs to make sure it's something that is emphasized more in road games than when the Rockies are at Coors Field.

 

Mets owner Fred Wilpon has added top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to his list of untouchables in trade talks.

It might be tough, but the Mets still could trade for Alfonso Soriano with a package built around Joe McEwing.

 

An improved split-fingered fastball has Rick Bauer in the mix for a spot in the Baltimore rotation.

Bauer is seventh on the depth chart right now, but a strong spring could push him into the fifth spot ahead of Matt Riley and Omar Daal.

 

Angels INF-OF Chone Figgins, SS Alfredo Amezaga, 3B Dallas McPherson, C Jose Molina, C Tom Gregorio, RHP Greg Jones, RHP Bobby Jenks and LHP Tim Bittner to one-year contracts.

Figgins and Molina are likely to make the Angels as backups, although Molina will have to compete with John Paul and Wil Nieves to keep his job as his brother's backup. Amezaga could enter the picture at shortstop by midseason if David Eckstein doesn't bounce back from a poor 2003.

 

Matthew LeCroy is the heavy favorite to open the season as Minnesota's DH, but manager Ron Gardenhire said yesterday that Justin Morneau still could win the job.

If Morneau doesn't beat out LeCroy, he'll head to Triple-A Rochester and continue to work on his defense at first base. The Twins will need his bat eventually, but it will probably take a few months.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Would be sweet if Bauer wins a spot in the rotation!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Mets owner Fred Wilpon has added top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to his list of untouchables in trade talks.

It might be tough, but the Mets still could trade for Alfonso Soriano with a package built around Joe McEwing.

 

Joe McEwing? That's got to be some kind of sick joke.

 

Matthew LeCroy is the heavy favorite to open the season as Minnesota's DH, but manager Ron Gardenhire said yesterday that Justin Morneau still could win the job.

If Morneau doesn't beat out LeCroy, he'll head to Triple-A Rochester and continue to work on his defense at first base. The Twins will need his bat eventually, but it will probably take a few months.

 

There goes my draft plan. *revises checklist*

[Guest Anglesault]

Mets owner Fred Wilpon has added top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to his list of untouchables in trade talks.

It might be tough, but the Mets still could trade for Alfonso Soriano with a package built around Joe McEwing.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I assuming McEwing is driving the bus that carries the other five players involved in the trade.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Come on Joe McEwing is the kind of player everyone on the field.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Mets owner Fred Wilpon has added top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to his list of untouchables in trade talks.

It might be tough, but the Mets still could trade for Alfonso Soriano with a package built around Joe McEwing.

 

Joe McEwing? That's got to be some kind of sick joke.

I don't know. They could have built it around Timo Perez or Roger Cedeno.

 

Seriously though, I heard a few names tossed around, most notably Aaron Heilman, Tyler Yates, Royce Ring (who they got for Alomar last yr.) and Victor Diaz (who they got for Burnitz last yr.).

[the max 0]

Damon already trimmed the beard. I was hoping he would keep it the whole year...he may have drawn in the homeless sect to boost our fan numbers.

 

He looks like Dennis Eckersley.

[Guest Anglesault]

Damon just isn't good looking enough to wear his hair long.

 

Long hair on ugly men just makes them look worse.

[Guest Choken One]

Damon looks DEAD ON Randy Orton...sans the beard and long fraggly hair...

 

Isn't Damon married to some hot chick?

[2GOLD 0]

If the Rangers trade for Joe McEwing, giving up Soriano then....well, it'll be traditional Ranger brillance and I wouldn't be one bit shocked.

 

Texas sportswriters would have a field day though and call for the head of the Owner of the Rangers but I think it'd be hilarious to watch.

[Guest Anglesault]

I think so. And so is Nomar. Except Nomar's woman has bunches of her own money, so I'm not quite sure how he go her.

 

Uhm, not so sure about the Randy Orton business.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Looks like Damon is trying out for the Passion of the Christ sequel.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Part II.......

 

REVENGE OF THE CHRIST!!!!!

starring...Johnny Damon

[LooseCannon25 0]

Wow, I'm a Met's fan and even I have to say Soriano for McEwing is a fuckin joke......that's like trading Jeff Kent for Lenny Harris straight up.

 

 

Damon looks pretty horrible with long hair because he has a wide face.....doesn't go well together. How the fuck is he gonna wear his cap, he looked stupid enough last year

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Wow, I'm a Met's fan and even I have to say Soriano for McEwing is a fuckin joke......that's like trading Jeff Kent for Lenny Harris straight up.

 

Or trading him for Carlos Baerga and Alvaro Espinosa for that matter.

[LooseCannon25 0]

Wow, I'm a Met's fan and even I have to say Soriano for McEwing is a fuckin joke......that's like trading Jeff Kent for Lenny Harris straight up.

 

Or trading him for Carlos Baerga and Alvaro Espinosa for that matter.

Damnit.....we had no choice because the guy was hated in NY....had to get rid of him. I always liked the guy, but Baerga was a total bust. I have never before seen a player lose so much power and ability in the span of one season

[Guest Anglesault]

Damon looks pretty horrible with long hair because he has a wide face.....

You can say it without "losing your manhood".

 

He's an ugly man.

[King Kamala 0]

First spring training game in three days, Mets Vs Dodgers. I'm gonna watch a bit even though I don't really care for either team. It's just gonna be great to see baseball again.

[Bored 0]

I am Bored so I decided to rank the projected regular catchers in baseball for this year from 1 to 30. It's partly based on what they did last year and partly based on what trends say they will do this year. Of course with Joe Mauer, since he hasn't had a MLB at bat, his ranking is fairly arbitrary. I'll probably end up doing all positions and these probably shouldn't be read by anyone.

 

Catchers

1. Jorge Posada, Yankees

2. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers

3. Javy Lopez, Orioles

4. Mike Piazza, Mets

5. A.J. Pierzynski, Giants

6. Jason Varitek, Red Sox

7. Jason Kendall, Pirates

8. Mike Lieberthal, Phillies

9. Ramon Hernandez, Padres

10. Greg Myers, Blue Jays

11. Robby Hammock, Diamondbacks

12. Jason LaRue, Reds

13. Joe Mauer, Twins

14. Paul Lo Duca, Dodgers

15. Benito Santiago, Royals

16. Charles Johnson, Rockies

17. Bengie Molina, Angels

18. Victor Martinez, Indians

19. Chad Moeller, Brewers

20. Ben Davis, Mariners

21. Toby Hall, Devil Rays

22. Mike Matheny, Cardinals

23. Brian Schneider, Expos

24. Damian Miller, A's

25. Miguel Olivo, White Sox

26. Michael Barrett, Cubs

27. Ramon Castro, Marlins

28. Johnny Estrada, Braves

29. Einar Diaz, Rangers

30. Brad Ausmus, Astros

[The Czech Republic 0]

Is Paul Bako better than Michael Barrett? The Cubs should just use him more if that's the case.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Isn't Damon married to some hot chick?

Damon is actually divorced, and he was married to a fairly heavy chick. She had a cute face and big knockers but she was in that level between husky and fat.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Is Paul Bako better than Michael Barrett? The Cubs should just use him more if that's the case.

Bako is better than no one. Barrett could hit around 15-20 HR if he gets clsoe to 450-500 at bats.

[Styles 0]

Good catchers list, but may I reccomend switching Rodriguez with Lopez? One is locked into a cushy 4 year contract in a vortex for hitters park with the worst team in baseball just because they offered him the most money, while the other is with a renergized team on the rise, with a goal of winning in a notoriously nice hitters park (oh, and coming off the single most impressive offensive year for a catcher in history). But, yeah, minor quibble!